For those that haven't been following the carinbridge the past few months, I have some good news to update. Alison has been doing very well the past month. Since they decided that the last round of chemo wasn't necessary, she has gotten to do some things that were very high on her list. She attended her class trip that went to Los Angeles the last part of March and early April, then attended her prom the following weekend. As soon as prom was over she zipped back to Brookings for her interviews for State FFA officer, something she has wanted to do since her first FFA convention. After 2 days of interviews, on Tues morning she was announced as the 2016-2017 South Dakota FFA President. We are very happy and excited for her and she is going to have a blast representing the FFA over the next year. Thanks for all your prayers to help her through this and we ask for prayers for her that the cancer doesn't return, and for her safety in all her travels this next year. God Bless.

Congrats on a lofty goal attained. That is an impressive accomplishment, that will have life long consequences. None of them bad. She has really opened a lot of doors to the world right there. You should be very proud parents.

Congratulations to all your family for weathering that storm of illness and worries that go along with anything serious affecting health, especially in children.

Surely there have been many prayers answered in great ways, given the events so important to young people that she has been able to do. And that they are continuing with this new duty serving FFA is another blessing.

FFA and 4H are such valuable and effective training grounds for young people. It seems like quite a boost in their knowledge of so many areas and will serve them well as they go into further education, or even join the work force after high school. And not just for those going into agriculture. Obviously there are many 'life lessons' learned a little easier with adult guidance and good peer pressure along the way, so while she is having fun she is learning valuable life skills of working with, even guiding, and coping with some of the frustrations of working with other people.

Being in my 75th year for a few more months, I realize more than ever how much we need young people with good work ethic and 'people' skills to carry on our farms/ranches/businesses and community life into the future. Looking at the world as it is, right down to our local communities, I'm sorry for too much of what we are leaving them, yet our rural communities (and even the most populous counties in SD are considered 'beyond rural' by national entities) have much that is good, and even great when it seems the rest of the world is careening toward disaster.

So, carry on, Miss Allison, and enjoy the journey of life as you rebuild your health and enjoy the good times to the fullest!